Glossary
Tiered care pricing
Also called: À la carte pricing, Points-based pricing
Tiered care pricing is a rate model in which a community charges base rent plus a care fee that rises by level, or by points assigned to each task, as a resident’s needs increase.
Most large assisted living communities price this way. The starting price looks lower than an all-inclusive home, but the monthly bill grows with care. Get the full fee schedule in writing.
Related terms
All-inclusive pricing
All-inclusive pricing is a senior living rate model in which one monthly fee covers room, meals, services and all personal care, regardless of how much help a resident needs.
Level of care
Level of care is a community’s rating of how much personal assistance a resident needs, used to set the monthly care fee on top of base rent.
Base rent
Base rent is the monthly charge for the room, meals and standard services in a senior living community, before any care fees are added.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.